Writing device



H. 1. MORRIS WRITING DEVICE July 7, 1931.

Original Filed Dec. 29, 1921 vwemto a Patented July 7, 1 931 FUNVITEDT. STATES PATENT oFFicE- Hownm r. moms, or mnw'oon, oxno, Assmnon 'ro irnn 20mm PENCIL comm,

or CLEVELAND, omo, a conrona'rron or 01110 wm'rino DEVICE November 17, 1924.

This invention relates to a writing device, such as a pencil, more particularly that type of pencil in which the writing element or lead is fed,endwise relative to the writing end of the holder or body portion of the device One object of the invention is to prov de a pencil of this type having a self feedmg writing element or lead.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pencil in which means are provided for feeding the writing element or lead endwise relative to the holder or body portion of the device.

Other objects of the invention wrll be apparent to thoseskilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. D

In the drawings, Fig. 1 1s a longitudinal sectional view of a writing device or pencil embodying my invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional vlews similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating the operation of feeding the lead forward.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but illustrating the operation of inserting and positioning a new lead.

In the drawings 1a indicates a body or holder preferably comprising a barrel, cylinder or shell 2a having at one end a tapered or conical member 3a. The adjacent ends of the barrel 2a and conical member 3a. are cut away externally and internally, respectively,

to telescope one within the other, and said telescoping portions are preferably screw threaded together to connect them in rigid relation; at 27, the barrel 2a is provided on its inner wall with an annular flange, the purpose of which will later appear.

5a indicates a guide element for the writing element or lead 6a. The guide element 5a is slidably mounted in the outer end of the tapered member 3a and is reciprocated in an endwise direction longitudinally of the holder 1a to feed the writing element Go, as will be later described. The inner wall of the tapered member 3a, adjacent to its outer end,

is preferably of cylindrical shape to form a relatively lon bearing for the guide element 5a. The gui e element 5a comprises a tube,

"Original application filed December 29, 1921, Serial No. 525,585. Divided and this application filed Serial No. 750,276.

her 29. The collar 28 is detachably secured to the guide element 5a, being screw threaded thereon, to permit assembly and disassembly of certain of the elements constituting the pencil.

The extension member 29 is preferably of tubular shape. It is connected to the inner end of the guide element 5a, being preferably formed integrally therewith. 8a indicatesa I coiled spring surrounding the extension 29 and bearing at its opposite ends against the collar 28 and the flange 27. The spring 8a tends to move the extension 29 and guide ele-.

ment 5a outwardly. The spring normally maintains the collar 28 against the shoulder 3a which limits the outward movement of the extension 29 and guide element 5a, but permits the latter to move inwardly relative to the barrel 2a and member 3a, when the outer end of the guide element 5a is positioned v against a surface and, the holder 1 is moved toward the surface.

7 a indicates a plunger or feed member arranged axially of thelead 6a and in engagement with its inner end. In the preferred form of construction, the feed member is made in sections 31, 82, and a spring 30 is disposed. between the sections, for a purpose to be later set forth. 7 The feed member section 32 is slidably supported, at its outer or lower end in the guide element 5a abutting the in- The opposite end of V ner end of the lead 6a. the section 32 is provided with a head 33, which slidably supports said end axially .of the barrel 2a and extension 29, and also serves as an abutment for one end of the spring 30. The outer end of the section 31 is preferably provided with a head 34 which slidably fits the extension 29 to support the said and therein and also servesas an abutment for the other end of the spring 30. 11a indicates shoulders or projections provided on the feed member section 31, and uniformly spaced relative to each other. The shoulders 11a preferablyextend 'around" the feed member 31 so thatit may be readily assembled and not require positioning in some fixed relation. The walls constituting the rear faces of the shoulders taper inwardly, for reasons which will later appear. 7

19a indicates as an entirety devices for controlling the operation of the feed member 7a, whereby the writing element 6ais, fed endwise orftfrwardly relative to the outer end of the guide element 5a or writing end of the bod 1a a 'predetermined distance at each feeding operation, to provide a writing point of the desired length. 7

The controlling devices 190 comprise a pair of spring operated dogs 2111,2211, for example, spring arms, the free ends of which are normally disposed in the path of movement of and each are arranged to engage the shoulders or projections 11a, successively. One dog 21a, 15 fixed to the inner wall of the barrel 2a, preferably by suitable rivets, and extends through a slot formed in the extension 29; the other dog 22a is fixed to the extension 29, preferably by rivets to its outer wall, and extends through a slot 36 forward in the wall of the extension; This arrangement permits the dog 21a to engage one shoulder 11a to prevent rearward or inward movement of the feed member 7 a when writing is taking place and while the other dog 22a is being moved into position to engage the next rearward projection when the operation of feeding the lead 6a is being effected.

The operation of feeding forward, sup lying or exposing a new portion of the lea 6a may now be described. The normal position of the elements with a portion of the lead projected beyond the outer end of the guide element 5a is shown in Fig. 1. The device may be operated to write with until the exposed portion of the lead wears down ielatively close to the free or outer end of the guide element 50. v To feed the lead 6a forward, the guide element is ositioned against a surface-for example, t e surface used to write upon-and the holder 1a is moved or pressed endwise or in a longitudinal direction toward the surface against the tension of the spring 8a, (see Fig. 2). This operai ion will cause the ide element 50 and extension 29 to move in a longitudi nal direction inwardly relative to the holder 10. In such movement, the extension 29 will carry with it the'dog 22a, which in turn will ride the next rearward or succeeding shoulder 11a and position itself behind or rearward of the abutment face thereof; then, if,

pressure upon the holder 11; is released, the

spring 8a will move the extension 29 and guide element 5a outwardly, or in the opposite direction, forcing the collar 28 against the shoulder 3a'. Such outward movement of the extension, by engagement of the dog 22a with the adjacent shoulder 11, will move the feed member section 31 endwise outwardly,and cause the dog 21a to ride the next pro- 'ection rearward of it during such movement .mto position behind itsabutment face. The

distance between the abutment faces of the projections 11a. This arrangement is to prevent movement inwardly of the guide element 5a, extension 29 and the dog 22a beyond the next rearward projection 110, therey insuring the feeding of the lead a predetermined distance at each operation equal to the space between the projections 11a. The spring 30 operates to permit relative movement between the sections 31, 32, constituting the feed member, when the operation of feeding the lead is carried out, in order that such operation may be accomplished uickly and easily. This construction of fee member is preferable as it ermits the lead 6a to engage the surface an it and the section 32 to move inwardly with the guide element 5a (see Fig. 2) when the lead feedin operation is effected. Accordingly, the holder 1a may be held vertically or at any other angle to the surface-for example at the angle at which it is held in the handand operated longitudinally toward the surface. It will be understood that when the inward pressure on the holder 1a is relieved, the feed member section 3l.will move outwardly until it is arrested by the engagement of the collar 28 with the stop 3a and the spring 30 will expand to its normal position, thus propelling outwardly the section 31 and it in turn projecting the lead 6a beyond the guide element 5a. If the spring 30 was omitted, the lead would be helda ainst inward movement by the dog 21a and tie ide element would have to be moved inwar 1y independently of the lead in effecting the feeding operation.

4 13a indicates as an entirety means for moving to and holding the controlling devices 19a in an inoperative position when a new lead 6a is being positioned in the guide element 5a. These means comprise a pair of movable elements arranged to engage the dogs 21a, 22a, and move their free ends out of engagement with "or path of movement of the projections 11a. The elements which engage the dogs.

21a, 22a, preferably constitute the wall of a cylinder 37 slidably and-rotatably mounted within the barrel 2a. The lower portion of port the u peren uann the cylinder 37 is reduced and the up r portion of the extension 29 is enlarged so t at, the cylinder 37 can fit therewithin. As the upper rtion of the cylinder 37 is supported inthe arrel 23, it will be saen tlias lower rtion is ri i 'tione to si 8. y p g d ofthe extension 29. cylinder 3 terminates at its lower end at a point rearward of the dogs 21a, 22a, and when moved toward the. writin end of the holder 1a, its end will-engage 't e dogs and move them to an inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 4. When the dogs 21a, 22a, are in this position, the feed member 7a may be moved rearwardly. A new lead 6a may then beinserted in the guide element a, as shown in Fig. 4, and positioned ready for use. The

insertion of the lead operates to move the feed member 7a back to its first position, as

shown in Fig. 1. The cylinder 37 is then moved rea-rwardlyl to release the dogs 21a, 22a, permitting t em to engage the projections 11a.

The upper portion of the cylinder 37 rotat-ably and slidably fits the inner wall of the barrel 2a. It is connected thereto by guide devices 18a,.which operates, when the cylinder is rotated, to slide it inwardly and outwardly for the purposes above described. The cylinder carries at its upper end a collar 15a, carrying a section of rubber 17a for use as an eraser which collar 15a removably fits the cylinder 37.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the dogs 21a, 22a, constitute an escapement mechanism and control the move ment of the feed member 7a to insure feed of the lead 6a apredetermined distance at each.

operation.

38 indicates a disk sup rted on the shoulder 39 formed by there uced portion of the cylinder 37. The disk may. be held against the shoulder 39 in any desired manner. The disk with the side walls of the cylinder 37 form a chamber or receptacle for a supply seen that the construction of pencil .including the feed mechanism for the lead is relatively simple and comprises but few elements all of which maybe easily manufactured and assembled. It will also be seen that these elements are so arranged that the lead may feed forwardly in a ready manner without shifting the pencil in the hand or-any other manipulation of the pencil or either hand of the writer or user. By controlling and operating the feeding mechanism as described, the user is saved the annoyance of stopping his work to manipulate the lead as is required in all pencils of which I have knowledge.

The pencil is particularly advantageous where continuous writing is required or the necessity of disassembly of any of the elements.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many alterations and conmructions and widely differing embodiments and a plications of the invention will suggest tl iemselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosuresand description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

This application is a division of my original application filed December 29, 1921, Serial No. 525,585, and now matured into Patent No. 1,751,941, Mar. 25, 1930.

What I claim is:

1. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end said feeding means and operate the latter during its outward movement.

2. In a pencil, the combination of a body for a lead, means within said body for feeding the lead outwardly, means projecting from one end of the pencil and movable longitudinally of said body for actuating said feeding means, and means operable by .31 device projecting from the opposite end of said body for engaging said feeding means to maintain them inoperative.

3. In a pencil, the combination of a body, a tubular element mounted to reciprocate in said body and arranged to support a section of lead. a feed member engaging the lead mounted in said element, means for locking said feed member against rearward movement, a spring tending to'move said element outwardly and arranged to be put under tension when said element is moved inwardly, a device carried by said element and arranged to engage with and operate said feed memwhere the writing must be efl'ected rapidly,

said locking means into an inoperative position.

4. In a pencil, the combination of a body, a tubular element mounted to reciprocate in said body and arranged to support a section of lead, a feed member engaging the lead mounted in said element, means for locking said feed member against rearward movement, a spring tending to move said element outwardly and arranged to be put under tension when said element is moved inwardly, a device carried by said element and arranged to engage with and operate said feed member during its outward movement, a device movably mounted in the upper portion of said body arranged to engage and move said lock ing means into an inoperative position, and means for maintaining said device out of engagement with said locking means.

, In a. pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, a feed member engaging the lead, a device movable inwardly and outwardly in said body, means tending to move said device outwardly, and a pair of pawls carried by said body and said device and engaging said feed member for controlling the movement thereof as said device is operated.

6. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, a feed member engagingthe lead, a device movable inwardly. and outwardly in said body, element-s carried by said body and said device and arranged to engage said feed member for controlling the movement thereof as said device is operated, and means arranged to engage said elements for holding them out of engagement with said feed member.

7. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have alead project from one end thereof, feeding means for the lead having an element engaging therewith, a device movable inwardly and outwardly in said 'body, pawls carried by said body and said dev1ce arranged to engage'an element of said feed ing means for controlling the movement thereof as said device is operated, and means arranged to engage said pawls for holding them in an inoperative position, said means including a member projecting from the opposite end of said body, whereby said means may be operated.

8. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, feeding means for the lead having an element engaging the lead and an ele ment. provided throughout a portion of its length with spaced projections, means for guiding and supporting the lead and said feeding means, said guiding and supporting means being movable inwardly and outwardly in said body, and pawls carried by said body and said guiding and supporting means and movement of said feeding means.

engaging said projections for controlling the 9. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, feeding means for the lead having an elementengaging the lead and an element provided throughout a portion of its length with spacedprojections, means for guiding and supporting the lead and said feeding means movably mounted in said body, said guiding and supporting means extending toa point adjacent the free end of the lead for engagement with a surfacefor operation inwardly in said body, and pawls carried by said body and said guiding and supporting means arranged to engage said projections for controlling the movement of said feeding,

means.

10. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, feeding means for the lead, a pair of pawls for controlling the movement of said feeding means, one of said pawls being fixedly supported within said body, and relatively movable members one carrying the other pawl and arranged to actuate said feeding means and the other arranged to engage said pawls and maintain them inoperative.

11. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, feeding means for the lead, a pair of pawls for controlling the movement of said feeding means, one of said pawls being fixedly supported within said body, and relatively movable members one carrying the other pawl and arranged to actuate said feeding means and the other arranged to engage said pawls and maintain them inoperative, each said member having a portion extending beyond one end of said body to permit operation of said member.

12. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, lead feeding means comprising a lower section arranged to engage the lead, an upper section and a compression spring interposed between said sections, means engaging said upper section to prevent inward movement thereof, and a device mounted to reciprocate in said bod inwardly and outwardly normally exten ing beyond the writing end thereof and resisting movement inwardly, and means carried by said device and arranged to feed said feeding means forward in its outward movement.

18. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, feeding means comprising a lower section arranged to engage the lead, an upper section and a compression spring interposed between said sections, means engaging said upper section to prevent inward movement thereof, and a device having a tubular portion arranged to guide and support the lead, mounted to reciprocate in said body inwardly and outwardly and normally extending beyond the writing end of said body, aspring tending to maintain said device in normal position and resisting movement 1nwardly, and means carried by said device and arranged to feed said feeding means forward in its outward movement. a

14. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, a pair of relatively movable elements movably mounted in said body, one fitting within the other element, the outer element slidably supporting the lead and' said inner element engaging the lead to feed it outwardly, means normally tending to prevent movementof said inner element rearwardly, a spring arranged to be put under tension when said outer element is moved inwardly and arranged to move said element outwardly when it is released, and a device carried by said outer element and operatively connected with said inner element for moving the latter outwardly when said outer element moves outwardly. I

15. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, a pair of relatively movable elements movably mounted in said body, one fitting within the other element, the outer element being arranged to slidably support the lead and the inner element being arranged to engage the lead and feed it outwardly, means normally tending to prevent movement of said inner element rearwardly, a spring arranged to be put under tension when said outer elementis moved inwardly and arranged to move said element outwardly when it is released, a device carried by said 'outer element and operatively connected with said inner element for-moving the latter outwardly when said outer element moves outwardly, and a stop to limit the outward movement of said outer element.

16. In a pencil, the combination of a. body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, a pair of relatively movable elements movably mounted in said body, one fitting within the other element, the outer element being arranged to slidably support the lead and the inner element being arranged to engage the lead and feed it outwardly, means normally tending to prevent movement of said inner element rearwardly, a sprin arranged to be at under tension when said outer element is moved inwardly and arranged to move said element outwardly when itis released, a device carried by said outer element and operatively connected with said inner element for moving the latter outwardly'when said outer element moves outwardly, and means movably mounted in the upper portion of said body for maintaining said means inoperative.

17. A pencil as claimed in claim 16 in which said feeding means comprises relatively movable sections.

18. A pencil as claimed in claim 11 in which said feeding means comprises relatively mov- 'able' sections and a compression spring permitting inward movement of the lead with the guiding and supporting means.

19. In a pencil, the combination of a body adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, lead feeding means including a lower member engaging the lead and an upper member disposed in line with said lower member, a device reciprocatably mounted in said body for movably supporting and guiding said members, a spring normally tending to move said device outwardly, means carried by said body for preventing inward movement of said upper member, and means carried by said device for moving said upper member outwardly, following movement of said device inwardly against the tension of said spring. 1

20. A pencil comprising abody adapted to have a lead project from one end thereof, a device reciprocatably mounted in said body and projecting beyond said body adjacent the lead, means normally tending to move said device outwardly, lead feeding means carried by said device and comprising a lower member engaging the lead, an upper member provided with ratchet teeth and a spring between said members, a pawl fixed to said body and engaging said ratchet teeth for locking the upper member against inward movement and a pawl carried by said device and engaging said ratchet teeth to feed said members outwardly as said device moves outwardly, whereby operation of said device inwardly and then outwardly will effect-a feeding of the lead.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HOWARD I. MORRIS. 

